■Exterior Perforated Metal Panels for an Indoor Skating Rink

We are pleased to announce our participation in the construction of MAO RINK TACHIKAWA TACHIHI, an indoor ice skating facility in Tachikawa, Tokyo, supervised by professional figure skater Mao Asada.
Our scope of work included the fabrication and installation of perforated exterior cladding panels, finished in a gold powder coating inspired by a gold medal. The perforation motif was designed based on the geometric patterns of compulsory figures*—a former discipline in figure skating. The warm gold colour and nighttime illumination add a touch of elegance to the facility.

*Compulsory Figures: A discipline in competitive figure skating practiced until 1990, in which skaters traced prescribed patterns on the ice. Judging was based on the accuracy of the figures and the quality of the skater’s posture and technique.

■Gold Powder Coating × Perforation

Approximately 430 m² of exterior panels were fabricated from bent aluminum panels measuring W1,100mm×H3,800–4,400mm, finished with a highly weather-resistant, pearl-toned gold polyester powder coating. To achieve the ideal shade of gold, we adjusted the colour and compared multiple sample panels at our factory before finalizing the selection.
The perforated design, composed of circular holes with diameters of 25mm and 35mm, was meticulously crafted with attention not only to the visible surface but also to the backing frames and screw placement behind the panels. These details ensure the perforated pattern appears clean and visually pleasing.

■Illuminated Figure Motifs

The perforated motifs gleam brightly on the façade panels, illuminated from behind. Since the appearance of this lighting effect was a key element of the project, we fabricated mock-ups and reviewed them with the client prior to installation. Upon completion, the overall finish received high praise. KIKUKAWA is honored to have contributed decorative metalwork to this large-scale project – a project that embodies the dreams and aspirations of many.

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